Garnet Volkswagen

The sales people at Garnet Volkswagen will tell you anything to sell a car. An internet sales representative from Garnet informed me that a Passat TDI SEL would get 48 mpg. The federal government estim anything to sell a car. An internet sales representative from Garnet informed me that a Passat TDI SEL would get 48 mpg. The federal government estimates that under real world driving conditions, the car maxes out at about 40 mpg on the highway. When I complained about what was either a negligent misstatement of fact or an outright lie, a sales manager accused me of insulting her sales people. Then she justified the deceit by suggesting that some Passat TDI customers actually achieved 25 percent better mileage (48 mpg) than the Energy Department claimed. After I complained to VW corporate, the manager backpedaled furiously on the bogus gas mileage claim. Bottom Line: Garnet Volkswagen is a sleazy, deceitful grind shop. Avoid it like the plague. ----------------------------- Update: I posted that review on 1/10/2012. One day later, the internet sales manager from Garnet Volkswagen contacted me and insisted they're not a sleazy, deceitful grind shop. He maintains that the Passat TDI SEL will get 47 mpg on the highway and that numerous customers on the internet have affirmed they're getting that kind of fuel economy. That's an interesting assertion for at least a few reasons: First, the 2012 Passat TDI is a new car, and it's just starting to roll into dealerships. It's scarce on most lots; in fact, the Garnet internet sales manager informs me he doesn't have any in stock. So if there aren't that many cars available , how can all of these mysterious people on the internet (for the record, I can't find any) even obtain the car, much less achieve gas mileage that exceeds the Energy Department's upper estimate for real-life driving conditions by 25 percent? Second, diesel engines take a while to break in. Some don't achieve maximum gas mileage until after the odometer reads 40,000 to 100,000. So it stands to reason that few people have owned the car long enough to break in the engine and achieve maximum highway fuel economy -- which would be about 40 mpg. As a put-up-or-shut-up gesture, I offered to test any Passat TDI on the Garnet lot. I would drive it for 10 miles at 65 mph on a highway of the internet sales manager's choosing (with a sales rep in the car to keep me honest). As part of the deal, I offered to remove this post and issue an apology to Garnet if the tested Passat hit 43 mpg (4 mpg less than Garnet is claiming). If it didn't, the internet sales manager would agree to apologize publicly -- on the Garnet Volkswagen website -- for deceiving customers about fuel economy. He declined, saying he had no Passat TDIs on his lot. He did not respond to an offer to let me test the car as soon as one or more comes in. I think it's a safe bet, however, that he wouldn't be taking me up on my offer even if his dealership were lousy with Passat TDIs. Simply put, the Passat TDI -- although it boasts impressive fuel economy -- cannot hit Garnet's ridiculously inflated highway numbers in real-life driving conditions. Not now. Not ever. And while I can't read minds, I'm pretty confident that the Garnet Volkswagen Internet sales manager knows as much. If you value honest car sales practices, avoid Garnet Volkswagen. The Passat TDI is a great car, and people discriminating enough to buy one deserve more respect than the sales pirates at Garnet are willing to spare. More

Dan was very responsive via email while I was narrowing down cars for my wife. I do not have a lot of time due to my schedule and he was understanding of that and things were ready when he said they would down cars for my wife. I do not have a lot of time due to my schedule and he was understanding of that and things were ready when he said they would be and per my expecations. More

I had a great experience at a friendly and helpful dealership. Test drive went very well, and there were two options to pick from with the features I wanted. Natasha was extremely helpful during the dealership. Test drive went very well, and there were two options to pick from with the features I wanted. Natasha was extremely helpful during the entire process of selecting, leasing, and configuring the vehicle. More

Garnet VW treated us fairly on our recent new car purchases. We also have had good experiences with the service department. Their new and used car selection is extensive and pricing is competitive. purchases. We also have had good experiences with the service department. Their new and used car selection is extensive and pricing is competitive. More

Natasha found me the VW I REALLY WANTED, quickly and hassle free, she was very knowledgeable & SUPER to work with! I have already referred a couple of friends to go to Garnet! I love my new VW - Natas hassle free, she was very knowledgeable & SUPER to work with! I have already referred a couple of friends to go to Garnet! I love my new VW - Natasha @ Garnet made my new car purchase completely stress free. I would highly recommend Garnet VW, we went to two dealerships in Delaware, however we purchased out of state @ GARNET due to GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! More

Jordan was a great salesman. Very courteous, knowledgable and professional. He went out of his way to answer all the questions I had and show me all the different options available in the 2012 Touareg. The t and professional. He went out of his way to answer all the questions I had and show me all the different options available in the 2012 Touareg. The transactions was quick and easy. I am very happy buying a car from Jordan and the overall experience. I would definitely recommend to others. More

This is my second purchase from Garnet Volkswagen and I'm sure my future purchases will be there as well. The staff is very attentive, honest, and thorough. Erich Smith, my salesman, went above and beyond, sure my future purchases will be there as well. The staff is very attentive, honest, and thorough. Erich Smith, my salesman, went above and beyond, providing me information about my vehicle that I didn't even think to ask. There is a lot of pride at this dealership, but no arrogance. They genuinely take the time to match you with the vehicle that will best meet your needs, and they follow up after you leave as well. The service department has always been very professional and knowledgeable, which is also why I chose to go through Garnet again. There is no better combination than a great product and a reputable business that really delivers. More

Our experience purchasing our 12 Tiguan was honestly the best car buying experience EVER. As individuals in the 40 ish age range, we have each purchased a number of cars in the past. Dan our salesperson w best car buying experience EVER. As individuals in the 40 ish age range, we have each purchased a number of cars in the past. Dan our salesperson was friendly and helpful from the get go. He gave us a range of ideas on models to testdrive. He promptly retrieved the keys when we made our decision to take the vehicle out on the road. He encouraged us to take our time! When we returned he valued our time and got information regarding available vehicles and purchase/lease options without the usual run-around and oh so annoying back and forth. The Finance & Sales Manager Jerry worked with us in a respectful, honest manner as well - which again is so appreciated and such a change of pace from other dealerships. The paperwork was also quick and painless and we were on our way - completely happy that we were in the model we wanted at a great price! I will totally recommend this dealership to any and all friends and family. More

My contact with Natasha started as a casual internet search for a potential car for my son. I had been in contact with multiple dealerships but Natasha really captured my attention with her easy, casua search for a potential car for my son. I had been in contact with multiple dealerships but Natasha really captured my attention with her easy, casual, no-pressure style...but at the same time she was very attentive to what I was looking for. Even after deciding to postpone the purchase she agreed to feed me information on available cars. Upon meeting her it was clear that I made the right choice. Her great personality and exceptional knowledge about the car really sealed the deal. It was a great experience! Thanks Natasha! More

I was nervous about buying my first car, but felt very comfortable at this dealership. The staff is friendly to each other and made me feel at home. Natasha was very knowledgable about the car itself and comfortable at this dealership. The staff is friendly to each other and made me feel at home. Natasha was very knowledgable about the car itself and helped me through the decision making process. They had an excellent selection of cars to choose from. Though my car was used, it was spotless and in excellent condition. I love my new car and feel very comfortable going back for any services ever needed! More